Photocomposing machine



April 21, 1964 LE ROY H. sARGENT 3,129,634

PHoTocoMPosING MACHINE Filed July 5. 1962 In G1 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 .Mgg l JNVENToR. LE Rov H. SARGENT BY m Vg/ud Eli-.LLE-

April .21, 1964 LE ROY H. sARGr-:N'r 3,129,634

PHoTocoMPosING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 5. 1962 LE Rev H. SARGENT April 21, 1964 LE ROY H. sARGENT 3,129,634

PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 l INVENTOR. LE Roy H. SAR BY GENT April 21, 1964 LE ROY H. SARGENT 3,129,634

PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 5, 1962 w. T m W.

LE. ROY H. SARGENT United States Patent O 3,129,634 PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Le Roy H. Sargent, Staten Island, N.Y., assignor to Vartyper Corporation, Newark, NJ., a corporation of Delaware Filed .Iuly S, 1962., Ser. No. 297,732 7 Claims. (Cl. 83-2-1) This invention relates to a new and improved selective masking apparatus for a cyclically operable photocomposing machine of the kind in which data from individual business instruments are photographed in sequence to make rup composite copy incorporating data from a plurality of such instruments.

The composing of printed matter by photographic processes affords substantial advantages, in many -applications, -in comparison .fwith more conventional methods. One kind of photocomposing machine that is particularly advantageous in composing parts lists, directories, and similar matter is described and claimed in the co-pending Iapplication of Robert W. Davidson, Serial No. 806,719, tiled April 15, 1959, now U.S. 4P-atent No. 3,079,146, issued Feb. 216, 1963. ln a photocomposing system utilizing a composing machine of this kind, the individual items for a directory, list, or the like are printed or otherwise applied to individual business instruments, usually conventional record cards. rTypically, each card may carry one line of data. In the composing operation, the record cards are lfed individually to an exposure station, are accurately aligned at that station, and are photographed sequentially upon a `strip of iilm that is fed through the photographing camera in synchronism with the feeding of 'the business, instruments into the exposure station of the machine.

In some applications, it may be necessary or desirable to modify the composed material as compared with the composition that would result from straightforward copying of the data from each card. `For example, in a directory including substantial data with respect to a group of businesses and carrying a phone number as a part of each listing, it may be desirable to alter the phone listing for vindividual businesses. A similar example would be a price list, in which many items remain unchanged but in which selected prices must -be altered. A further example would be a series of price lists including basically similar data identifying the items to be sold but -with different price groupings to lit different classes of customers. In other instances, it may be necessary or desirable to reproduce a complete data item in preparing one form of list or directory and to omit entirely a part of the item in a related but diierent version of the same listing or directory.

It is a principal object of the present invention, therefore, to modify the arrangement of material reproduced in a photocomposing machine without sacriiicing the quality or precision of the reproduction. A related object of the invention is to Vary the content of the composition developed by a photocomposing machine of the kind described generally above without entailing a substantial revision or modification of the basic machine construction.

A further object of the invention is to etfect changes in the composition produced by a photocomposing machine, -frorn a series of related business instruments, in selected instances, without entailing the production of new business instruments reliecting the desired changes.

lAnother object of the invention is to provide for multipurpose use of individual data instruments, in a photocomposing machine, to iit a variety of applications.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a new and improved means for effecting modilication of the 3,129,634 Patented Apr. 21, 1964 composition produced by a photocomposing machine, either in a direction parallel to or normal to the direction in which ilm is fed through the photocomposing machine, by means of a single relatively simple and economical selective masking apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide automatic control of composition modifications, in the operation of a photocom-posing machine, without stopping machine operation and without reducing the speed of operation of the machine.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a selective masking apparatus for a cyclic-ally operable photocomposing machine ofthe kind including means for sequentially positioning a series of data instruments, each bearing composing data in a `given field, at an exposure station, camera means for photographing data on instruments located at the exposure station, and iilm advancing means for advancing a iilm through the camera in synchronism with movement -of the instruments to the exposure station. Selective masking apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention comprises masking means actuatable between a normal condition and rst and second auxiliary masking conditions. In the normal condition of the masking means, a given portion of the data field of the instrument located at the exposure station is exposed; this portion may be all or only a part of the data iield. In the iirst and second masking conditions, on the other hand, different complementary portions of the data lield are masked. The apparatus further includes selective control means for actuating the mask means to its iirst and second auxiliary masking conditions in successive cycles of operation of the photocomposing machine in order to modify the arrangement of data photographed on the lilm as compared with the -arrangement obtained when the masking means is in its normal condition. Preferably, means are also provided for connecting the control means to the i'ilm advancing means in order to control film advance through the camera.

Other and `further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what is now considered to Ibe the best mode contemplated Ifor applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a simplified plan view of a photocomposing machine, utilized to explain basic operation of the machine;

FilG. 2 illustrates the relationship between a principal masking member utilized in one embodiment of the present invention and the data instruments employed in the photocomposing machine;

FIG. 3 is similar to tFIG. 2. but illustrates a different form of mask;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the masking means of a selective masking apparatus constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the masking mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a left-hand elevation View of the masking mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a right-hand elevation view of the masking mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the film feed drive mechanism of the photocomposing machine, with the cover removed,

showing a part of the selective masking apparatus pertaining to lm feed control;

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the film feed drive taken approximately along line 9 9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional elevation view taken approximately along line 10-10 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a detail circuit diagram of the electrical operating circuit of the photocomposing machine; and

FIG. 12 is a detail illustration of the mask structure of FIG. 3.

In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a photocomposing machine 11 in which data from a series of individual business instruments, such as record cards or the like, are assembled and composed in the form of a negative which may subsequently be utilized in a printing process, as for example in a photolithographic printing application. The photocomposing machine 11 includes a card magazine 12 in which a relatively large number of individual record cards or other data instruments 13 may be stored. From the card magazine 12, the cards are fed individually to an exposure station 14. At the exposure station, each card is accurately aligned with respect to the lens system of a camera 15. The cards are photographed, in sequence, upon a strip of film fed through the camera 15 in synchronism with the feeding of the cards into aligned position in the exposure station 14. From the exposure station 14, the individual cards 13 are fed to a receiving hopper or stacking mechanism 16 in which they are reassembled in the same order as when they were first placed in the magazine 12.

In the photocomposing machine 11, the card storage and feed mechanism comprises a pair of elongated support bars or rails 20 and 21 that are connected together at one end by a cross rail 22. At the opposite end of the support rails 20 and 21 from the cross rail 22, there is mounted a backup plate 23 that is also secured to and supported by the two rails. The rails 20 and 21 extend parallel to a guide member 24. The data instruments 13 are supported on the rails 20 and 21 in vertical position. Means (not shown) are provided, connected to the cross rail 22, for urging the carriage comprising the members 20-23 to the left, as seen in FIG. 1, to bring the lead card in the stack of instruments 13 into engagement with the face plate 25 of a card feed mechanism 26.

A shuttle feed device is mounted in the face plate 25 of the card feed mechanism 26, and'this shuttle is utilized cyclically to feed the lead card from the stack 13 into the slot 27 between the two portions 14A and 14B of the exposure station 14. The exposure station 14 includes means, not shown in detail, for interrupting the advancing movement of each card and for aligning the card precisely in a predetermined position in the exposure station. Feeding of the card into and out of the exposure station is completed by a conveyor mechanism illustrated only generally by the conveyor rollers 28. The camera 15 is provided with a lens system 29 that extends outwardly of a masking apparatus 31. Behind the masking apparatus 31 there is located a film enclosure that includes a film feed mechanism 32 that is operated synchronously with the feeding of cards into the slot 27 in the exposure station 14. Thus, a main drive shaft 33 in the photocomposing machine 11 is utilized to drive the film feed mechanism 32, the card feed mechanism 26, and the conveyor and alignment apparatus at the exposure station 14.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate a preferred construction for the masking device 31, which comprises one of the important elements of the selective masking apparatus of the present invention. As shown therein, the masking device 31 includes a frame 41, the frame 41 comprising an integral part of the camera 15. Frame 41 is substantially rectangular in configuration and is provided with a relatively large central opening. One face of the frame is provided With a recess 42 (FIG. 5) which is covered by a face plate 43 that also has a relatively large central opening. The face plate may be secured to the frame by any suitable means (not shown).

A pair of wedge members 44 and 45 are mounted in frame 41, being located in the recess 42 between the frame 41 and face plate 43. Wedge members 44 and 45 are maintained in engagement With a pair of adjustable fixed mask members 46 and 47, respectively. Each of the mask members is provided with an inclined surface that matches the inclined surface of the associated wedge member, the vertical spacing 51 between the mask members 46 and 47 being adjusted by horizontal movementt of the wedge members as seen in FIG. 4.

A first micrometer 48 is mounted upon frame 41 with the shaft of the micrometer extending through the frame and into engagement with wedge member 44. A second similar micrometer 49 is mounted in frame 41 and extends therethrough into engagement with the other wedge member 45. The vertical position of mask member 46 may be adjusted upwardly by advancing micrometer 4S to drive wedge 44 to the right, as seen in FIG. 4, and the mask member can be lowered by retracting the micrometer to move the wedge to the left. Similarly, the micrometer 49 can be advanced to lower mask member 47 and may be retracted to raise the mask member. It is thus seen that accurate adjustment of the gap 51 between mask members 46 and 47 is readily achieved, and that the positions of the two mask members may be adjusted independently of each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a pair of guide bars 52 and 53 are mounted upon mask frame 41, extending across the mask frame in closely spaced relation to mask members 46 and 47 respectively. A film strip 54 extends around andis guided by members 52 and 53, immediately behind the two mask members. Film strip 54, at its central portion 55, is located in the focal plane of the lens system of the camera. Thus, adjustable mask members 46 and 47 afford a focal plane mask for the camera of the photocomposing machine. This basic mask construction, as thus far described, is Vset forth in greater detail in Vthe co-pending application of Robert W. Davidson, Serial No. 806,719, filed April l5, 1959 now U.S. Patent 3,079,146, issued Feb. 26, 1963. Y

Masking apparatus 31, in accordance with the present invention, includes selective masking means that cooperates with but is structurally independent of the adjustable fixed mask comprising mask members 46 and 47. The selective masking means comprises a rst mounting bracket 61 aixed to a part of frame 41 by suitable mounting means such as the screws 62.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, an escapement pawl member 63 is pivotally mounted upon a short shaft 64 that is journalled in a suitable bearing in bracket 61. Pawl member 63 is located on the outside surface of bracket 61. The pawl member is provided with two pawls 65 and 66 for engaging an escapement ratchet wheel 67 mounted upon a shaft 68 journalled in a suitable bearing in bracket 61. A spring 69 is connected from pawl member 63 to bracket 61 and biases the pawl member in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 6, normally maintaining pawl 65 in engagement with ratchet wheel 67. Ratchet Wheel 67 is provided with three teeth or projections 70, 71 and 72 to establish three operating positions for the pawl as described more fully hereinafter.

Shaft 64 extends through bracket 61 and carries, at the opposite end, an operating lever 73. A connecting pin 74 is utilized to connect lever 73 to the armature 75 of an escapement control solenoid 76. Escapement control solenoid 76 is mounted by suitable means, such as, the mounting screws 77, on an extension of bracket 61. Energization of solenoid 76 is effective to retract armature 75 and thereby pivot lever 73 in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 6, in order to disengage escapement pawl 65 from ratchet wheel 67 and to engage pawl 66 areaei with the ratchet wheel during a selective masking operation as described in detail hereinafter.

Escapement shaft 68 extends through bracket 61 and has afiixed thereto, on the opposite side of the bracket, a mask support disc 81. A similar disc 82 is located at the opposite side of assembly 31 (see FIGS. 4, 5 and 7), discs 81 and 82 being connected by a rigid one-piece member comprising an elongated bar section S3 formed integrally with two mask support rings 81A and 82A affixed to discs 81 and 82, respectively, to form a mask rotor assembly 80. An auxiliary mask member 85 is mounted upon a removable transverse bar 84, its use being described in detail hereinafter.

A mounting bracket 91 is included in selective masking device 31, being mounted upon frame 41 at the opposite side of the frame from bracket 61. That is, bracket 91 is mounted upon the mask frame at the righthand side thereof as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. A drive shaft 92 is mounted in a suitable bearing supported in bracket 91, and mask support disc 82 is affixed to and carried by shaft 92. A pinion gear 93 is affixed to shaft 92, on the outboard portion thereof, and a knurled manual rotating knob 94 is also atiixed to the shaft.

Pinion gear 93 is engaged by a gear segment 96 mounted on the end of a lever 97 that is affixed to a shaft 98. Shaft 98 is mounted in a suitable bearing supported in bracket 91 and extends through the bracket. A lever 101 is affixed to shaft 98 at the end thereof opposite lever 97. A spring 102 is connected from lever 101 to the frame and biases lever 101 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7. That is, spring 102 biases lever 101, shaft 98, and lever 97 toward the position shown in FIG. 7. Lever 101 is also connected, by a suitable connecting pin 103 and a connecting member 104, to the armature 105 of a reset solenoid 106. Reset solenoid 106 is mounted upon bracket 91 by suitable means such as the screws 107. When energized, solenoid 106 is effective to retract its armature 105, pulling pin 103 downwardly and rotating members 101, 98, and 97 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7.

Additional means may be provided for maintaining brackets 61 and 91 in accurate alignment with each other to assure effective operation of the selective masking apparatus. To this end, a transverse fixed tie bar 108, or other suitable means, may be employed.

Shaft 98 also carries a reset cam 111 that is engaged by a cam follower roller 112. Roller 112 is utilized to actuate a reset switch 113 that is mounted upon bracket 91 as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. Reset switch 113 is employed to determine the completion of selective masking operation and is utilized to actuate the reset mechanism.

The configuration of selective mask 85 and its rela tion to data to be reproduced from the individual business instruments 13 can best be understood by reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the mask in alignment with a first data card 13A, sometimes referred to hereinafter as a function or control card. Immediately behind card 13A, in FIG. 2, there is shown a second data card 13B which is not a function card. `Card 13A has a control marking or aperture 114, but card 13B does not carry such control indicia. The relationship between cards 13A and 13B is such that a part of the data from the function card 13A is to be substituted for pre-existing data on the original data card 13B. Thus, data card 13B carries two numerical data items 115 and 116 and a legend 117, all located in a data field 118. In a given photocomposing operation, however, it may be desired to retain the legend 117 but to substitute the numerical data items 125 and 126 from the data field 119 of card 13A for items 115 and 116, respectively, from the basic data instrument.

Mask 85, as shown in FIG. 2, is provided with apertures 127 and 128, in its upper edge, that are aligned with data items 125 and 126 on the function card 13A. The lower or trailing edge of mask 85, on the other hard, is provided with a pair of projecting mask elements 129 and 130 separated by an aperture or gap 131. The projections 129 and 130 are directly aligned with apertures 127 and 128, and accordingly, are aligned with the leftand right-hand numerical data items on the two record cards 13A and 13B. The mask is shown in its normal position relative to the data field 119 of function card 13A, this position corresponding to position 70 of the mask escapement ratchet wheel 67, FIG. 6, with the card 13A aligned in exposure position at the exposure station 14 of the machine (FIG. l).

It is now possible to consider the basic mode of operation of the selective mask mechanism 31 of FIGS. 4-7, taken in conjunction with the explanatory illustration of FIG. 2 and the photocomposing apparatus shown in FIG. l. In a photocomposing operation in which numerical data from card 13A are to be substituted for the corresponding numerical data on card 13B, the function card 13A is inserted in the stack of cards 13 immediately ahead of card 13B. Photocomposing machine 10 is then placed in operation. As long as no function card is advanced to the exposure station 14, the only limitation upon exposure is that provided by the fixed adjustable mask comprising mask members 46 and 47. The gap 51 between the two adjustable rnask members permits exposure of the complete data field on each card, as ex` empified by the data field 118 of card 13B. The auxiliary selector mask remains in its normal position as shown in each of FIGS. 2 and 4 through 7 and does not mask any portion of the data fields of the cards at the time of exposure.

When control card 13A is fed to the exposure station 14 of the machine, the presence of the control or function aperture 114 is detected by a suitable sensing switch, photocell, or other device (see switch 233, FIG. 11). When this occurs, an energizing circuit is established for control solenoid 76, retracting the solenoid armature 75 and pivoting pawl member 63 in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 6. The pivotal movement of the pawl member releases pawl 65 from engagement with ratchet projection 70. This releases shaft 68 and rotor assembly 30 for rotation in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 6, this being counterclockwise rotation in the view of FIG. 7. Rotation of the mask rotorassembly is effected by the biasing force supplied by the spring 102, acting through lever 9'7 and gears 96 and 93 (FIG. 7). Movement of the rotor 80 elevates mask 85 from the normal position shown in FIG. 6 to a first masking position as shown in FIG. 7. As a result, the central portion 133 of mask 85 is effective to mask the central portion of the data field 119 on function card 13A (FIG. 2). Thus, in this cycle of operation the data photographed by the camera 15 is restricted to the two data items 125 and 126 from card 13A and the intervening portion of the data field remains unexposed on the hlm.

After control card 13A has been photographed, it is fed from the exposure station 14 to the card stacker 16, and the next card, related data card 13B, is transferred to the exposure station of the machine. In this cycle of operation, advancement of film 54 (FIG. 6) by the apparatus 32 (FIG. 1) is prevented by a suitable control apparatus described hereinafter. Thus, the same film area upon which data items and 126 (FIG. 2) have been photographed remains in alignment with the gap 51 in the focal plane mask. As control card 13A leaves the exposure station, however, the energizing circuit for solenoid 76 is broken. This releases pawl 66 from engagement with ratchet tooth 71, due to the action of spring 69, which pivots pawl member 63 in a counterclockwise direction and brings pawl 65 into position to engage ratchet tooth 72. Consequently, the selective mask assembly rotates further in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 6, this being couterclockwise direction in FIG. 7, again elevating selector mask S5.

The upward movement of mask 35 to its third operating position brings the mask projections 129 and 130 into masking relation to data items 115 and 116 of card 13B when the latter is aligned at the exposure station of the photocomposing machine. Consequently, when card 13B is photographed, only the legend 117 is photographed, since this is exposed through the aperture 131 between mask elements 129 and 130 (FIG. 2). As a result, the line of data produced on the film 54 by photographing both of cards 13A and 13B is a composite comprising the data items 117, 125 and 126, items 115 and 116 being omitted.

Rotation of mask 85 to its third operating position (second masking position) as described above, results in closing of reset switch 113. When card 13B has been photographed and is advanced to the card stacker, a timing switch operates in conjunction with switch 113, as described more fully hereinafter, to energize reset solenoid 106. Energization of the reset solenoid 106 is effective to retract its armature 105, pulling lever 101 downwardly and rotating shaft 98 in a counterclockwise direction. This results in a corresponding counterclockwise movement of lever 97 with the result that the gear 96 drives pinion 93 and rotates shaft 92 in a clockwise direction. The entire mask assembly is thereby rotated back to the original position illustrated in FIG. 6, with mask 85 disposed below and out of the way of the exposure aperture 51. Thus, the selective masking apparatus is reset for normal operations and maintains auxiliary mask 85 clear of the exposure aperture until the next selective operational cycle initiated by positioning of another function card, similar to control card 13A, at the exposure station of the machine.

The film feed mechanism 32 for the photocomposing machine, illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, comprises a main frame or housing 148. A bracket 151 which is a part of the base of frame 148 serves as a bearing bracket for the film feed drive shaft 33. Shaft 33 is coupled, through two bevel gears 155 and 157, to a vertical shaft 158 that carries, at its upper end, a further bevel gear 161. Gear 161 drives a meshing bevel gear 162 mounted on a cam shaft 163 upon which an eccentric cam 165 is mounted.

Eccentric 165 is engaged by a cam follower 166 mounted on a lever167 that is pivoted on a stationary shaft 168. A spring 175 biases lever 167 in a clockwise direction, maintaining follower 166 engaged with eccentric 165. The free end of lever 167 is pivotally connected to a link 171 in turn connected to a crank 172.

Crank 172 is the driven element of a sprag-type clutch 173. Clutch 173, which is of conventional construction, is effective to rotate the central shaft 174 of the clutch assembly in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 9) when crank 172 is driven counterclockwise, but disengages automatically so that the crank can make a return (clockwise) movement without a corresponding movement of shaft 174.

Adjustment of the angular displacement through which shaft 174 is driven during each cycle of operation is provided by a precision adjustment device 176 that may be adjusted by means of a micrometer 178. A locking lever 180 and locking knob 179 are also incorporated in adjustment device 176 to maintain a given setting for the film feed.

The film feed mechanism 32, as thus far described, is essentially similar to that described in the aforementioned application of Robert W. Davidson; accordingly, only a brief description of its operation is included herein. In FIG. 9, the mechanism is shown in the position corresponding to the end of a film feed cycle. In each machine cycle, shaft 163 is rotated, permitting follower 166 and lever 167 to move to the right in response to spring 175. This drives link 171 to the right moving clutch member 172 clockwise. But shaft 174 does not rotate, during this movement of clutch member 172, as noted above. A second sprag clutch 181 (FIG. l0) can be used to make sure that shaft 174 remains stationary and is not rotated clockwise.

Subsequently, near the end of each machine cycle, eccentric drives follower 166 back toward kits original position. As a result, shaft 174 is rotated counterclockwise through the linkage comprising lever 167, link 171, and clutch 173. This rotational movement of shaft 174, coupled to a film feed shaft 182 through the gears 183 and 184 (FIG. 10), advances film through the camera a predetermined distance determined by the setting of adjustment device 176.

Film feed mechanism 32, in the present instance, further includes a stop film advance solenoid 201 mounted on a bracket 202 within housing 148. The armature 203 of the solenoid is connected by a yoke 204 to a depending pivotally mounted lever 205. Link 205 carries a pin 206 engaged in a slot 207 in a latching lever 208 that is pivotally mounted on bracket 202. Lever 208 includes a latch element 209 aligned with a latch receptacle or depression 211 in the film feed drive link 171.

The stop-film-advance linkage 204-209 is shown in its stop position with solenoid 201 energized. Ordinarily, when no function card has been sensed, the solcnoid is de-energized and armature 203 is located outwardly of the solenoid, to the left of the position shown in FIG. 9. Under these conditions, the consequent movement of pin 206 to the right drives lever 208 clockwise from the illustrated position, with latch element 209 clear of link 171. Consequently, normal operation of the film feed is not interrupted by the stop linkage.

When the film is to be held stationary for a'dual exposure cycle, as described, solenoid 201 is energized simultaneously with energization of mask advance solenoid 76. This drives the linkage 204-209 to the position illustrated, with latch element 209 engaged in slot 211. Consequently, the drive link 171 cannot move through its normal film feed motion. As long as solenoid 201 is energized, therefore, no film advance occurs in the machine.

FIG. 11 illustrates, in simplified form, the operating circuit for the photocornposing machine, elements not necessary to explanation of the present invention having been omitted. As shown therein, a main line switch 211 connects the main drive motor 212 to a suitable A.C. power supply. The lamp circuits 210 are also connected to the A C. power supply through switch 211, as is a D.C. power supply circuit 213 having positive and negative buses 214 and 215. p Y

The operating circuit of FIG. 11 includes a main control relay 216 having an operating coil 217 and two sets of normally open contacts 218 and 219. One terminal of coil 217 is connected, throughra diode 221 and a start switch 222, to positive bus 214. The other terminal of the coil is returned to the ne-gative bus. A start solenoid 223, used to actuate the principal cyclic drive of the machine, is also connected across the D.C. busses in series with switch 222.

Relay contacts 219 are connected in a holding circuit for relay 216, this circuit startling from the positive side of coil 217 and extending through a single-pole doublethrow stop card sensing switch 224, a manual stop switch 225, and a film out sensing switch 226 to the positive bus 214. Switches 225 and 226 are also single-pole doublethrow devices. Y

The second pole of stop card sensing switch 226 is connected through a diode 227 to a machine stop solenoid 228. A parallel connection is made from the second pole of stop switch 225 to the stop solenoid, the solenoid being returned directly to the negative bus. Yet a third parallel connection is made from film out switch 226, through a diode 229, to the stop solenoid.

The control circuit includes a function relay 231 having an operating coil 232 connected to the positive bus through a function sensing switch 233 and through the normally closed poles of switches 225 and 224. It is sensing switch 233 that is employed, in the present instance, to sense the occurrence of a record card function aperture (such as aperture 114 in card 13A, FIG. 2). Coil 232 is returned directly to the negative bus.

Mask advance solenoid '76 and film feed stop solenoid 201 are connected in parallel with each other in a circuit starting at negative bus 215 and extending through a pair of normally open contacts 234 in function relay 231 to contacts 218 of main control relay 216. From contacts 213, this circuit continues through a cam-actuated function timing switch 235 to the positive bus. Switch 235 is shown closed, but is opened in each machine cycle. Contacts 234 also afford a holding circuit, through a diode 236, for the operating coil of the function relay.

A mask reset relay 237 is incorporated in the control circuit. One terminal of the operating coil 238 of relay 237 is connected through mask reset switch 113 (FIG. 7) and a shutter close switch 239 to positive bus 214, the other terminal of coil 238 being returned to negative bus 215. Switch 239 is a cam-actuated switch that is operated during each machine cycle to energize a shutter-close solenoid 241 that controls the camera shutter.

Mask reset relay 238 includes two pairs of normally open contacts 242 and 243. Contacts 242 are connected in a holding circuit that extends from coil 238 to function timing switch 235 and from the timing switch to the positive bus. Contacts 243, on the other hand, are connected between timing switch 235 and the mask reset solenoid 106 (FIG. 7) that restores the selective masking apparatus to its original condition once a masking operation has been completed, as described hereinabove.

In the circuit illustrated in FIG. l1, two indicator lights 244 and 245 are utilized to inform the operator of the operating condition of the machine. Lamp 244 is connected in an operating circuit that begins at negative bus 215 and extends through a pair of normally closed contacts 246 in function relay 231 back to the second pole of stop card sensing switch 224. Lamp 245 is connected in a similar circuit that includes a pair of normally open contacts 247 in the function relay instead of normally closed contacts 246.

When the photocomposing machine is placed in operation, switch 211 is first closed, energizing the main drive motor 212 and the lamp circuits 210. Closing of switch 211 also energizes the D.C. power supply 213. 'Ilhis conditions the photocomposing machine for operation, but operation is actually started by closing start switch 222 momentarily to energize solenoid 223.

Closing of start switch 222 also energizes the operating coil 217 of control relay 216. When the relay is actuated, contacts 219 close and establish a holding circuit for the relay through switches 224, 225 and 226, all of which are normally maintained in the positions shown in FIG. 11. Contacts 218 of the control relay are also closed to establish circuit conditions that control operation of the selective masking apparatus.

As long as the photocomposing machine continues in normal operation, and the cards fed to the exposure station of the machine do not call for a masking function, function relay 231 and mask reset relay 237 remain unactuated. When a function card such as card 13A (FIG. 2) is fed to the exposure station, however, function sensing switch 233 is closed. Closing of switch 233 establishes an operating circuit for coil 232 of function relay 231, this circuit extending from the positive bus through switches 226 and 225 to the function sensing switch and from the switch to coil 232 and directly to the negative bus. As soon as the function relay is energized, contacts 234 and 247 close and contacts 246 open. Closing of contacts 234 completes an operating circuit for mask control solenoid 76 and for film feed stop solenoid 201, this circuit extending through function relay contacts 234 and control relay contacts 218 and the function timing switch 235, which is closed in this portion of the machine cycle. By energizing solenoid 76, the selective masking apparatus is actuated as described hereinabove; at the same time, a one-cycle interruption in film feed advance is provided 10 because solenoid 201 is held energized long enough t prevent the normal film feed operation. Closing of contacts 234 is also effective to maintain function relay 231 energized beyond the time that sensing switch 233 is opened as the function card is fed out of the exposure station.

In each operating cycle, function timing switch 235 is opened momentarily. Consequently, at the end of the cycle in which function relay 231 is actuated, or early in the next cycle, the timing switch opens, de-energizing the relay. Accordingly, solenoids 76 and 201 are deenergized, conditioning the photocomposing machine for the second cycle in the selective composing operation described in detail above. In the next operation the function relay is not energized again, since the second card 13B does not include a function aperture 114 (see FIG. 2) and sensing switch 233 consequently does not close.

In the second cycle of selective composing operation, mask reset switch 113 is closed (see FIG. 7). Closing of the mask reset switch does not immediately energize mask reset relay 237. However, when the cam-actuated shutter close switch 239 is closed, the relay is energized. Actuation of the relay closes contacts 242 and 243, the contacts 242 establishing a holding circuit for the relay through function timing switch 235. This action takes place near the end of the cycle, and the closing of contacts 243 energizes mask reset solenoid 106 to restore the selective masking apparatus to its original operating condition. Subsequently, the mask reset relay is again deenergized when the function timing switch opens in its normal cyclic operation.

The photocomposing machine can be interrupted in its operation in a number of ways. Thus, a card aperture at a different location than function aperture 114 can be utilized to actuate the stop sensing switch 224 and thereby energize stop solenoid 228. A similar effect can be achieved by actuating stop switch 225. Finally, switch 226 may be actuated upon feeding of the end of the film from the film magazine to the camera. In each instance, the holding circuit for control relay 216 is opened, so that initiation of machine operation can only occur by again closing start switch 222. Indicator lights 244 and 245 give the machine operator a direct indication of the basis for interruption of machine operation; a further indicator lamp 295 shows when the film supply is exhausted.

The selective masking apparatus of the present invention can also be utilized for a substantially different selection operation entailing selective composition of large headings or two-line data entries, with only minor modifications. For this purpose, mask 85 is removed from carrier bar 84 and is replaced by a simple mask member 285 (see FIGS. 3 and 12). In addition, an interchangeable mask bar 300 is mounted on rotor assembly 80 in partial overlapping relation to mask member 285.

Mask bar 300 is supported between a pair of brackets 301 and 302 that are mounted upon support discs 8-1 and 82 respectively. Bracket 301 has an adjusting screw 303 mounted therein and a corresponding adjusting screw 304 is mounted in bracket 302. To mount bar 300 in operative position, the adjusting screws 303 and 304 may be backed off slightly so that the mask bar may be mounted in position as shown in the drawings, after which the adjusting screws may be tightened to hold the bar in the desired position.

As noted above, bar 300 overlaps mask 285 slightly. The combination of mask member 285 and bar 300 is constructed with such dimensions that these two mask elements together cover one-half of a two-line opening between the adjustable fixed mask members 46 and 47 of the photocomposing machine (FIG. 4). The arrangement is such that the upper edge of mask bar 300, in the normal position of use, serves as the lower edge of the main mask opening 51, the lower adjustable fixed mask 46 being displaced downwardly by a distance sufficient to leave a two-line gap between members 46 and 47.

In this embodiment of the invention, the only other significant change in the apparatus is to disconnect the film advance stop solenoid 201. This may be readily accomplished by incorporating a switch 286 in the operating circuit of solenoid 201; however, it should be noted that switch 286 does not affect the operating circuit for mask control solenoid 76.

With the minor changes set forth hereinabove, the system is now conditioned for selective reproduction of two-line or large heading data. In normal operation, mask 285 and bar 300 remains in the position illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper edge of bar 300 limiting aperture 51 so that only single-line data is reproduced by the photocomposing machine. Where a card bearing a large heading or two lines of data is to be used, a blank function card is positioned ahead of the two-line card. |Ifhe blank function card is a plain card having a function aperture such as the function aperture 114 (FIG. 2) but does not carry any data to be reproduced. This card is followed by a large heading or two-line card such as the card 13C of FIG. 3.

When the blank function card enters the exposure station of the machine, the function aperture 114 in this card is sensed by function sensing switch 233 (FIG. l1) closing the switch. Closing of switch 233 is effective to actuate function relay 231 and to energize mask control solenoid 76 as described above. Consequently, mask 285 and bar 300 are rotated to the second operating position for the mask assembly, in which they conjointly block the exposure aperture 51 of the fixed adjustable mask completely (see FIGS. 4 and 7). Accordingly, the film is not exposed in this cycle of machine operation. However, and unlike the operation described above, the film is advanced, since the operating circuit for solenoid 201 is now opened at switch 286.

The next card reaching the exposure position is the two-line or large heading card 13C. In the cycle of operation in which this card is positioned in the exposure station, rotor assembly S is rotated, as described above, to the third operating position of the selective masking apparatus. In this position, mask 28S and bar300 are entirely clear of the main mask aperture 51, exposing a two-line width on the film. Following photographing of data from card 13C, the selective masking apparatus is again restored to its normal condition by the reset mech- Vanism described hereinbefore, and the photocomposing operation proceeds on a single-line basis until the next function card is sensed at the exposure station. Bar 300 is made readily replaceable in rotor assembly 80 to permit use of several bars of varying width and thus enable convenient use of this embodiment of the invention with varying type sizes.

Hence, while preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that they are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim: v 1. A selective masking apparatus for a cyclically operable photocomposing machine comprising means for sequentially positioning a series of data instruments bearing exposure data in a given field, at an exposure station, at least some of said instruments carrying control indicia, and camera means for photographing the data from said instruments, said selective masking apparatus comprising: an adjustable fixed mask positioned in the focal plane of said camera means; l

an auxiliary mask positioned immediately adjacent said focal plane mask and movable between first, second, and third positions in which different portions of the 12 data fields on instruments positioned at said exposure station are exposed through the combination of said masks;

sensing means for sensing the control indicia on said instruments;

and selective control means, connected to said sensing means, for actuating said auxiliary mask to said second and third positions in successive machine cycles in response to sensing of said control indicia to modify the arrangement of data photographed by said camera means relative to that obtained when said auxiliary mask is maintained in its first position.

2. A selective masking apparatus for a cyclically operable photocomposing machine comprising means for sequentially positioning a series of data instruments each having an elongated data field for exposure data, at an exposure station, at least some of said instruments carrying control indicia, and camera means for photographing the data from said instruments, said selective masking apparatus comprising:

an adjustable fixed mask positioned in the focal plane of said camera means, outlining said data field in said focal plane;

an auxiliary mask positioned immediately adjacent said focal plane mask and rotatably movable between normal, second, and third positions in which different portions of the data fields on instruments positioned at said exposure station are exposed through the combination of said masks;

sensing means for sensing the control indicia on said instruments;

and selective control means, connected to said sensing means, for rotating said auxiliary mask to said second and third positions and back to said normal position in successive machine cycles, in response to sensing of said control indicia, to modify the arrangement of data photographed by said camera means relative to that obtained when said auxiliary mask is maintained in its normal position by masking off at least a portion of the data field of at least one instrument.

3. A selective masking apparatus for a cyclically operable photocomposing machine comprising means for sequentially positioning a series of data instruments, each bearing exposure data in a given field, at an exposure station, camera means for photographing data on instruments located at said'exposure station, and film advancing means for advancing a film through said camera means in synchronism with movement of said instruments to said exposure station, said selective masking apparatus comprising:

masking means actuatable between a normal condition,

in which a given portion of the data field of the data instrument at said exposure station is exposed, and first and second Vauxiliary masking conditions in which different complementary portions of the data field are masked;

selective control means for actuating said mask means to said first and second auxiliary masking conditions, in successive cycles of operation of said photocomposing machine, to modify the arrangement of data photographed on said lm relative to that obtained with said masking means in its normal condition; and means for connecting said control means to said film advancing means to control film advance through said camera means. 4. Selective masking apparatus for a cyclically operable photocomposing machine comprising means for positionlng a series of data instruments, each bearing composing data in a given field, at an exposure station, at least some of said instruments bearing control indicia, a camera for photographing the data on instruments located at said exposure station, and film advancing means for advancing a film through said camera in synchronism with move- 13 ment of said instruments to said exposure station, said selective masking apparatus comprising:

mask means actuatable between a normal position in which the data field of the instrument at said exposure station is fully exposed and first and second masking positions in which complementary portions of the data iield are masked;

sensing means for sensing control indicia on said instruments;

selective control means, response to said sensing means,

for actuating said mask means to said lirst and second masking positions in successive cycles of said photocomposing machine to modify the arrangement of data photographed on said film relative to that obtained with said mask means in its normal position by interposing data from one instrument with data from another;

and means connecting said sensing means to said film advancing means to prevent lm advance in any machine cycle in which said mask means is in said first masking position.

5. Selective masking apparatus for a cyclically operable photocomposing machine comprising means for positioning a series of data instruments, at an exposure station, each of said instruments bearing composing data in a given elongated linear eld and only selected ones bearing predetermined control indicia, a camera for photographing the data on data instruments located at Said exposure station, and lilm advancing means for advancing a iilm through said camera in synchronism with movement of said instruments to said exposure station, said selective masking apparatus comprising:

a mask movable between a normal position in which the data field of the instrument at said exposure station is fully exposed and rst and second auxiliary masking positions in which complementary longitudinal portions of the data ield are masked;

sensing means for sensing the control indicia on said instruments;

selective control means, connected to said sensing means, for moving said mask to said lirst and second masking positions in succeeding cycles of said photocomposing machine, in response to the sensing of predeterminated control indicia on one instrument and for restoring said mask to its normal position after photographing of data from the next succeeding instrument;

and means connecting said sensing means to said iilm advancing means to prevent iilm advance in the machine cycle in which said mask is in its iirst auxiliary masking position.

6. A selective masking apparatus for a cyclically operable photocomposing machine comprising means for sequentially positioning a series of data instruments, some bearing exposure data in a given field and others carrying control indicia, at an exposure station, and camera means for photographing the data from said instruments, said selective masking apparatus comprising:

an adjustable fixed mask positioned in the focal plane of said camera means and having an aperture equal to said data held;

an auxiliary mask positioned immediately adjacent said focal plane mask and movable between a normal position in Which said auxiliary mask restricts the combined aperture of the masks to a given fractional portion of the data ield, a second position in which the auxiliary mask masks the entire data field, and a third position in which the entire data field is exposed;

sensing means for sensing the control indicia on said instruments; and selective control means, connected to said sensing means, for actuating said auxiliary mask to said second and third positions in successive machine cycles in response to sensing of said control indicia to photograph data substantially larger in size than that carried by some of the data instruments. 7. Selective masking apparatus for a cyclically operable photocomposing machine comprising means for positioning a series of instruments, at an exposure station, some 0f said instruments being data instruments each bearing composing data in a given elongated linear ield and some being control instruments bearing predetermined control markings, a camera for photographing the data 0n data instruments located at said exposure station, and ilm advancing means for advancing a iilm through said camera in synchronism with movement of said instruments to said exposure station, said selective masking apparatus comprising:

a mask movable between a normal position in which a predetermined portion of the data ield of the instrument at said exposure station is exposed and rst and second auxiliary masking positions in which complementary portions of the data ield are masked;

sensing means for sensing the control markings on said control instruments;

selective control means, connected to said sensing means, for moving said mask to said irst and second masking positions in succeeding cycles of said photocomposing machine, in response to the sensing of a predetermined control marking;

lm advance stop means connecting said sensing means to said lm advancing means to prevent film advance in a given machine cycle in response to the sensing of said predetermined control marking;

and operation selection means for selectively enabling and disabling said film advance stop means to convert the apparatus to and from transverse and longitudinal selection of data from said iield.

No references cited. 

1. A SELECTIVE MASKING APPARATUS FOR A CYCLICALLY OPERABLE PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE COMPRISING MEANS FOR SEQUENTIALLY POSITIONING A SERIES OF DATA INSTRUMENTS BEARING EXPOSURE DATA IN A GIVEN FIELD, AT AN EXPOSURE STATION, AT LEAST SOME OF SAID INSTRUMENTS CARRYING CONTROL INDICIA, AND CAMERA MEANS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING THE DATA FROM SAID INSTRUMENTS, SAID SELECTIVE MASKING APPARATUS COMPRISING: AN ADJUSTABLE FIXED MASK POSITIONED IN THE FOCAL PLANE OF SAID CAMERA MEANS; AN AUXILIARY MASK POSITIONED IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT SAID FOCAL PLANE MASK AND MOVABLE BETWEEN FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD POSITIONS IN WHICH DIFFERENT PORTIONS OF THE DATA FIELDS ON INSTRUMENTS POSITIONED AT SAID EXPOSURE STATION ARE EXPOSED THROUGH THE COMBINATION OF SAID MASKS; SENSING MEANS FOR SENSING THE CONTROL INDICIA ON SAID INSTRUMENTS; AND SELECTIVE CONTROL MEANS, CONNECTED TO SAID SENSING MEANS, FOR ACTUATING SAID AUXILIARY MASK TO SAID SECOND AND THIRD POSITIONS IN SUCCESSIVE MACHINE CYCLES IN RESPONSE TO SENSING OF SAID CONTROL INDICIA TO MODIFY THE ARRANGEMENT OF DATA PHOTOGRAPHED BY SAID CAMERA MEANS RELATIVE TO THAT OBTAINED WHEN SAID AUXILIARY MASK IS MAINTAINED IN ITS FIRST POSITION. 